Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Winter 2019 - 31

surgery, treat systemic diseases, and order imaging tests. SB
668 saw passage in the Senate late in the legislative session but
did not move in the House of Representatives.
Through our educational efforts and the advocacy of
physicians who answered our call for grassroots action, all
scope of practice bills were defeated. PAMED will continue
to strongly oppose scope of practice expansion legislation and
support the preservation of physician-led, team-based care
for all patients in Pennsylvania. It is within the framework of
education and clinical training that health care professionals
are prepared to deliver safe, quality care. The rigorous
education and supervised training physicians receive ensures
that they are well-equipped to independently provide complex
differential diagnosis, develop a treatment plan that addresses
multiple organ systems, and order and interpret tests within
the context of a patient's overall health condition.

Practice Advocacy Issues - Credentialing and ASC Tax
HB 125, introduced by Rep. Matt Baker and supported by
PAMED, would have standardized the credentialing process
for health care practitioners in the Commonwealth. All
health insurers licensed to do business in the Commonwealth
would be required to accept the CAQH credentialing
application or other nationally recognized form designated
by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department. The bill
would have required health insurers to issue a credentialing
determination within 45 days after receiving a complete
credentialing application. While HB 125 passed the House
of Representatives (190-0), it did not get out of committee in
the Senate.
Originally included in the Governor's budget was a three
percent tax on Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Net Patient
Revenue. PAMED supported several specialty societies
and their efforts to oppose the assessment. The tax was not
included in the final state budget.

Public Health Advocacy Issues - Opioids
While dozens of bills were introduced this session to
address the opioid epidemic and heroin abuse facing the state,
a handful of bills were identified as priorities by both the
Governor and legislative leaders and ultimately received action
before the end of the year.
Thanks to the strong lobbying efforts of PAMED's
government relations team, we were successful in adding
several exceptions to HB 353, which sought an e-prescribing
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WINTER 2019

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Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Winter 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Winter 2019
